Killing the Bird of Peace

It was not as sexy as putting lipstick on a pig or dressing a moose, but the California Fish and Game Commission recently tried to keep pace with the news, relaxing regulations on gunning down doves.

Yes, it is legal to plug the bird of peace. In fact, there is a dove hunting season and the shotgun-toting folk who shoot these fine feathered fowl say they make for some good eatin.

The new regulations effect only the non-native Eurasian collared dove.

Eurasian Collared Dove

Specifically, the commission eliminated the daily bag limit for this particular bird, meaning you can pop a cap in as many as you want a half hour before sunrise to sunset between Sept.1 and 15 and Nov. 8 through Dec. 22. Hunters are still limited to 10 mourning doves and 10 white-winged doves.

OK, the collared dove isn’t white. It is actually buff grey, but even if it doesn’t qualify as the offical avian peace representative, it has certainly shown an aptitude for free love, breeding wherever there are trees. This randy little bird has spread from its original range in southeastern Europe and Japan all over the world, including Northern California, which may explain the desire among state wildlife officials to thin their ranks.

“Hunters should learn to identify Eurasian collared doves and distinguish them from mourning and white-winged doves before going hunting,” said Fish and Game biologist Karen Fothergill. “The new dove species will provide additional hunting opportunities and excellent eating.”